War veterans stood side by side in a moving ceremony yesterday to mark fallen colleagues who fought in the Far East.

But for these former prisoners of war, the service at Dunston Hill Hospital, Whickham Highway, Gateshead, was the final one they will attend.

For 30 years the North East Far East Prisoners of War Association has held their VJ Day remembrance service in a memorial garden at the hospital.

But due to dwindling numbers the veterans have now decided to call it a day on the 60th anniversary.

Treasurer of the NEFEPOW, Thomas Cragie, 88, of Sheen Court, Kingston Park, Newcastle, who fought for the 9th Battalion Fusiliers, said: "When we first had our service at the hospital there were over 50 comrades who attended, but over the years this has decreased significantly.

"It was inevitable this was going to happen as we can't go on forever."

The service was one of a host of events across the country to mark the 60th anniversary of the Second World War yesterday.

In Sunderland, hundreds of ex-servicemen paraded through the city joining service associations and representatives from the emergency services.

A standard remembering those who served during the Suez crisis was also commemorated along with one for the Household Cavalry Club.

In Dunston more than 80 people turned up at St Nicholas Church to listen to Rev Keith Teasdale. Veterans remembered their links with Dunston Hill, which go back to 1944.

Alma Laing, of Gateshead Primary Care Trust, who has been involved in organising the service for the last nine years, said: "It is always a moving occasion but it has been especially so this year because it is the last ever one. It's very poignant."

A bench, bought by members of the association, was dedicated to the hospital's memorial garden.